Winchester Model 71 Deluxe (1886) .348 WCF Lever Action Rifle, MFD 1936 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1955

LSB#: 210918MW43

Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 71 Deluxe

Serial Number: 1648

Year of Manufacture: 1936

Caliber: .348 Winchester

Action Type: This rifle has a lever action with a two-thirds-length tubular magazine.

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked -“WINCHESTER / PROOF STEEL”-, “-MODEL 71-“, “WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK-” and “-348 W.C.F.-“. The top of the barrel at the rear and the top of the receiver at the front are each marked with an ovalled “WP” proof. The right of the barrel is marked “MADE IN U.S.A. WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / -NEW HAVEN, CONN.-“. The bottom of the receiver at the front is marked “1648”.

Barrel Length: 24?

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade dovetailed to a hooded, textured, ramped, base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear of the barrel is dovetailed for a rear sight which is not present with a blank installed in the dovetail. The top of the bolt is cut for a Winchester 98-A peep sight which is installed, adjustable for windage and elevation. The peep aperture piece is missing from the base.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a capped pistol grip, fluted comb, semi-beavertail forend with steel cap, and checkered steel shotgun-style buttplate. There is a sling mount screwed to the belly near the toe and another dovetailed to the nosecap with Winchester quick-detach sling swivels and an attached brown leather sling. This rifle has the longer tang and shorter comb of early production models. The wood has been refinished. There is a sizable crack through the left side of the grip that connects from the upper tang to the left wrist. There are some dispersed draglines and compressions throughout the wood. There are no chips. The checkering is well defined on the forearm and worn yet defined on the grip. The LOP measures 13 1/4? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly worn to white with finish remaining in the checkering, which is well defined, and lacquer along the edges from the refinish. Overall, the stocks are in about Good condition as refinished.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 70% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The most significant thinning is on the bottom of the receiver, the loading gate, the lever, and upper tang. There are several nicks and scratches throughout the metal surfaces. There are areas with lacquer from the refinish on the bottom and sides of the receiver, the tangs, nosecap, and barrel. The operational wear is moderate. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety. The lever lock-up is tight and the trigger is crisp. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with the installed peep sight and sling.

Our Assessment: This is a Winchester Model 71 Deluxe rifle made in 1936, quite early in production. The Model 71 was a continuation of the 1886 design, with a pistol grip, shorter magazine tube and round barrel, produced in only two variants, 24? and 20?. This rifle is chambered in .348 WCF, the only cartridge the 71 was ever chambered for besides experimental models, and which was actually developed just for this model. The cartridge is great for North American big game hunting in brush where shorter shots are taken and with modern projectiles such as Hornady’s Lever-evolution can now perform well at longer ranges, as well. This rifle is in about Very Good condition with about 70% of its original metal finish remaining. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion. All of the Winchester rifles made before 1964 are prized by shooters and collectors alike, but the Model 71 was produced for 22 years, a relatively short production life for a Winchester, with fewer than 50,000 rifles made altogether. A model 71 in any condition will likely bring a lot of interest from the Winchester collectors and this early Deluxe example has much of its original finish, a bright bore and strong mechanics. Please see our photos and good luck!